The horizon had turned orange. Workers and students walked home, joking and laughing. Enjoying the evening sky with clouds exploring every corner.
The wind blew gently—moving the branches, dropping weak leaves and replacing them with new ones.
The temperature is getting hotter, a sign that summer is approaching.
At Aiko's house, Qia is busy treating Krisna and Alisa, who were injured earlier. Krisna is lying weakly, while Alisa is enjoying snacks while watching cartoons on television.
Shaking the snack packet, "Well, it's empty... here, Krisna-san," said Alisa, handing him the empty packet.
"What is this?"
Krisna looked at the wall clock, which read [05:50, AM].
He turned his head and looked at his bandaged leg. Qia was scolding Alisa.
———
Tired?
———
Lis appeared in front of Krisna.
"Yeah, I'm tired. But... I feel light."
Krisna said softly.
———
Your fight was cool. I finished four boxes of popcorn.
———
"Wow, you're greedy..."
———
Especially when you saved Alisa.
———
"Luckily, I went back into the building and got some extra smoke grenades," Krisna said softly.
———
There's something I want to say...
But you just rest. If you die, I won't have anything to watch.
———
Reading Lis's message—a smile spread across Krisna's bruised face.
Even though Lis's message was a bit harsh, for some reason: Lis's concern made him happy.
———
Crazy, huh? Suddenly smiling.
———
Krisna sighed softly, his eyes fixed on the slightly dusty wooden ceiling and the cobwebs in the corner.
Qia continued to scold Alisa, who looked like she was about to cry.
Calmness, harmony.
It made Krisna feel at peace, his heart light—even though his whole body ached.
His eyes slowly closed, intending to rest...
Bam! The door slammed.
It broke Krisna's calm and distracted Qia: thanks to that, Alisa was safe.
"Are you guys okay?" shouted Aiko.
She was wearing a white shirt with black trousers that looked simple and suited her figure.
She was breathing heavily, wiping the sweat from her forehead—after running—with a white plastic bag that looked full in her hand.
"Onee-chan!" Qia ran towards Aiko and hugged her.
Breathing heavily, "What's wrong?" She rubbed Qia's head.
Pointing at Alisa, "S-she took my snacks."
Aiko turned to Alisa, who was shaking her head, trying to refute Qia's statement.
Aiko smiled, "Here, I bought lots of snacks."
Alisa stroked her chest and sighed with relief.
Qia's eyes sparkled, "Thanks, onee-chan."
She ran off, sticking her tongue out at Alisa.
Aiko's gaze fell on Krisna, who was lying down—trying to sleep—with bruises and wounds all over his body: his legs were bandaged.
Aiko walked slowly, then sat down beside Krisna. Aiko reached into her trouser pocket and took out a handkerchief. Then she wiped the sweat from his neck, trying to tease Krisna.
Krisna's eyelids opened slightly, and he watched her—his cheeks began to redden.
Aiko's finger touched Krisna's cheek. "I know you're not asleep," Aiko whispered in Krisna's ear.
Krisna's back felt like it was electrified. He sat up, touching his ear. However, he saw Aiko smiling at him.
He shifted his gaze away from Aiko and lay back down.
Touching the bandage on Krisna's leg, Aiko muttered, "Look at this... just try not to force yourself to take that spear."
She turned to look at Alisa, who was begging Qia to give her a snack. She noticed Alisa's wound, which was only a bruise.
Sighing, "What's so special about that spear?"
said Aiko.
Krisna's eyelids opened, "It's because of the material," he replied.
"The material? What is it?"
"I don't really know what it's called."
He took his spear and began to open some of its components.
Aiko watched Krisna dismantle the spear's components with his bare hands.
"Umm... do you need a screwdriver?" asked Aiko.
Krisna turned his head, "Please," he said with a smile.
"Okay, wait a minute," Aiko got up, walked to the kitchen, and returned to sit down while handing Krisna a screwdriver.
Krisna continued to open the components. Until he found something resembling a clear white crystal that emitted a golden yellow light.
Upon closer inspection, the crystal seemed to be twisted—as if distorted—Aiko looked away, her head starting to feel dizzy.
Looking away from the crystal, "What is that?" asked Aiko.
Krisna was silent for a moment, "I don't know, but it supplies energy to my spear."
He said.
"Oh yeah... can I have your drone?" asked Krisna.
Aiko tilted her head slightly. "Take it, it's broken anyway." Aiko stood up and walked to the kitchen.
"Hey, you two!" snapped Alisa and Qia, who were arguing.
Qia's cheeks puffed up, while Alisa was grateful.
Sighing, she asked, "What do you want to eat?"
They both answered, "Curry!"
"All right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The orange sky had turned black.
The sky was now illuminated by the moon and stars.
The lights of the buildings began to flicker, illuminating the darkness of the night with bright light.
After eating, Qia and Alisa raced to wash the dishes. Meanwhile, Krisna was outside, enjoying the night breeze and repairing his old drone.
Aiko's footsteps approached the open door. She was wearing her pyjamas, which protected her from the night breeze and insects.
Aiko stood in front of the door, taking a deep breath. She turned her head and saw Krisna, who was focused on repairing the drone with a spear beside him.
Aiko sat down, observing Krisna more closely: his bandages were still on, his hair was still wet from his shower. When she looked at Krisna's neck, for some reason she swallowed hard.
She shook her head—
trying to think clearly.
"So, can you fix it?" asked Aiko.
Krisna's body jumped slightly, he turned to Aiko, "Of course I can. I'm the one who fixed it," he said with a smile.
Aiko tried to approach Krisna slowly. However...
Crunch!!
"Qiaa!!" Alisa screamed from inside.
"What now?" she got up and walked inside.
A sigh of relief escaped Krisna. In his mind, he thought, "She smells like flowers."
For some reason, a feeling of disappointment pierced him...
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To be continued
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